the wearing away of rocks along the coastline

low-energy waves that result in the buildup of sediment along the coastline

high-energy waves that result in the removal of sediment along the coastline

the breaking down or dissolving of rocks through plants, animals and weather

downhill movement of sediment due to gravity

The role of climate, marine and sub-aerial processes in coastal erosion

Geography

This unit teaches pupils about coastal processes and landforms. Pupils will learn about the physical processes operating at the coast and about the formation of distinctive landforms of coastal erosion and deposition. Pupils will also learn about the importance and options of coastal management.

Coastal landscapes

What type of weathering is caused by plants and animals?

What erosion process does the statement 'rocks and sediment collide and break into smaller and smoother pieces' describe?

Soil and rock move down in a curved motion.

Sudden drop of loose materials down a slope.

Rocks and boulders become detached from steep slopes or cliffs.

Match up the type of mass movement with its correct definition.

The distance wind travels over water (fetch).

What factors will determine the strength of a wave? 

Global warming is temperature rise; climate change refers to changes in weather.

Climate change only refers to warming; global warming is changes to weather.

Global warming is caused by nature; climate change is human-made only.

Climate change is short-term; global warming is about daily weather.

Global warming affects the air; climate change affects oceans only.

Which answer correctly describes the difference between climate change and global warming? 

Features found along discordant coastlines include {{}} and headlands.

Formed from cooled and solidified magma or lava.

Made from compacted layers of sediment over time.

Changed by heat and pressure from existing rocks.

Loose sediments like glacial till not yet cemented into rock.

Match the rock types to their correct characteristics.

Waves find a weakness in the headland and erode the rock over time.

Erosion forms a cave where softer rock is worn away inside the headland.

Continued erosion enlarges the cave until it breaks through the headland.

This creates an arch, which is supported by the harder rock above.

Eventually, the arch collapses due to erosion, leaving a stack behind.

The stack is a tall column of rock standing isolated from the headland.

Over time, the stack erodes further, becoming a stump near the coast.

Re-order the statements to explain the formation of a stump. 

Swash: Cliff erosion; Backwash: Sand deposition onto the beach.

Swash: Water parallel to shore; Backwash: Waves hitting the shore.

Swash: Water up the beach; Backwash: Water returning to the sea.

Swash: High tide forms waves; Backwash: Low tide pulls water away.

Swash: Gentle waves; Backwash: Strong currents back to the sea.

Identify the correct definition for swash and backwash.

What process does 'the wearing away of rocks along the coastline' describe?

Starter Quiz